Dover program helps drug addicts kick the habit

Nanette Roberson laughed. Despite feeling a bit exhausted — there was no such thing as enough coffee — she looked forward to meeting with her next patient, Brian Walker. Walker, hopefully, would be among many success stories for the Medication Assistance Treatment (MAT) Program that Roberson has managed for Com...

By Meghan Millea

Times Reporter

By Meghan Millea

Posted Apr. 1, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 1, 2013 at 1:03 AM

By Meghan Millea

Posted Apr 1, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 1, 2013 at 1:03 AM

DOVER

Nanette Roberson laughed. Despite feeling a bit exhausted — there was no such thing as enough coffee — she looked forward to meeting with her next patient, Brian Walker.

Walker, hopefully, would be among many success stories for the Medication Assistance Treatment (MAT) Program that Roberson has managed for Community Mental Healthcare during the past year. Almost on cue, Walker stepped inside her office at the Dover facility.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said. “I had to walk here.”

Roberson wasn’t too concerned. She knew Walker eventually would make it. In the past four months, he went from barely speaking coherently to expressing himself openly and finding an enthusiasm for life that surprised even him.

A recovering heroin addict, the 40-year-old New Philadelphia man was grateful for another chance at life.

“I didn’t think I’d ever be able to live without drugs, and now I know I’d never want to be that way again,” he said.

Walker said he grew up in a home where drinking and smoking was acceptable, as long he stayed out of trouble. Over time, one addiction led to another, but it took a long time for people to notice a change in him. Walker had a wife and children that he loved, a good job at a steel mill, a house, a car and a boat.

However, his marijuana, alcohol and, eventually, heroin use would cost him his job and his marriage — and it nearly cost him his life. On Oct. 2, his heart stopped from a drug overdose.

Walker knew he couldn’t go on this way if he was to be a part of his children’s lives. Quitting, however, was more than an act of sheer will. Walker said the withdrawal symptoms alone were enough to send someone back to using.

The few times he tried to quit, he became nauseous, vomited, sweaty and anxious, and the cravings would be overwhelming. “Your whole body feels sick,” he said.

He went to Personal & Family Counseling Services in New Philadelphia and was referred to CMH. He called Roberson and told her, “I’ve got to have help. I’m going to die, and I got to be there for my kids.”

Roberson believed him, and Walker began the path to recovery.

THE MAT PROGRAM

“When an individual gets to us, they’re not using to get high — they’re using to function,” Roberson said.

That’s why Roberson, who is the manager of special services for CMH, works directly with Dr. Carmel Shaw, the agency’s medical director.

The two have teamed up to work on the Medication Assistance Treatment program, which addresses the key components of an addiction: biology and psychology.

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The program combines nine hours of outpatient group and individual counseling per week with medication that relieves the recovering addict of withdrawal symptoms, as well as curbs their cravings for their drugs, Shaw explained.

In the program, Shaw meets with participants once each week and prescribes enough medication to last exactly a week. If the participants can get to a point of trust, they receive the prescription for two weeks, she said. Shaw said the program lasts a year to 18 months, depending on the patient. While the medication is geared to heroin addicts, it also helps those with opiate and painkiller addictions.

She said the medication component is important for recovery. “When a person becomes addicted to substances like narcotics and heroin and alcohol, it shuts down the production of our own natural pain relievers we make.”

Eventually, a person’s natural pain relievers will be produced again. However, it takes a long time and in the meantime, the person is miserable, the doctor said.

“What is the mind to do but scream and say you better do something?” Shaw asked.

While Shaw focuses on providing the medication, Roberson works with recovering addicts to develop life skills to help them address their social and emotional issues, as well as prepare them to find employment.

The entire program is outpatient, so that participants can learn to address their issues in real-life situations. With the program, patients are able to form a better support system and learn to address their stress and anxiety in more productive and healthy ways.

So far, the two women have seen roughly 30 patients since introducing MAT to the Tuscarawas Valley in March 2012.

Many of the participants have been referred to CMH from Personal & Family Counseling Services, which obtained a vocational rehabilitation grant to fund the MAT program. The grant is used to help these individuals become employable.

CMH Executive Director J.J. Boroski said the agency went ahead with the program after reviewing studies indicating a higher success rate. He said there have been studies that indicate those who have tried to take themselves off drugs cold turkey have a 75 percent relapse rate. The rate dropped to 50 percent with the program, he said.

A NEW BEGINNING

For Walker, the program has saved his life. He has moved in with sober roommates, started addressing health problems and keeps in touch with his two children.

“I get a good night’s sleep, versus passing out,” he said. “I enjoy things. Food tastes better. I’m no longer constantly feeling guilty. I don’t have to lead a double life and lie to people.”

He credits a lot of his success to the counselors and doctors at CMH. “I was always used to doctors looking down on me and wanting to hurry up and get me out of there,” he said.

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“These are compassionate people,” he said of Roberson and Shaw. “I have a totally different relationship with them. We’re friends.”

He said he thanks God for putting good people in his life and lives day by day. “God, please give me the strength to get through another day without using,” he said.

With his faith, his sponsors and new support system, he is doing well. A few months ago, Walker was so deeply addicted to heroin that almost dying didn’t stop him from trying to use the drug again. Now his goal is to make amends with those he loves and to live.

“I wake up and can’t wait to start the day,” he said. “It’s a good day to be alive.”